AN attempt by Tory backbenchers to block legislation setting the minimum proportion of Britain’s wealth that must be spent on foreign aid was seen off by MPs yesterday.

Attempts to filibuster the International Development Bill were cut short by a closure motion moved from the Liberal Democrat benches at noon and backed 146 to six, majority 140.

Scores of troublemaking Tory amendments to the Bill were rejected by similar majorities.

The Bill, introduced to the Commons by former Scotland secretary Michael Moore, would legislate to make the aim of spending 0.7 per cent of national income on overseas development a legal requirement.

Tory David Nuttall began the day with a speech that ran to almost an hour, in which he cynically claimed the legislation could encourage the public to give less money to charity.

But shadow international development minister Gavin Shuker rejected the claim, saying that, “on average, the British public believe we should not be giving 0.7 per cent but around 1.5 per cent of our nation’s wealth to help development.”